DiNapoli Says Morris Sentence Is “Fitting”

Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli called the sentencing of political consultant Hank Morris today in the pension fund pay-to-play scandal “fitting.”

“Hank Morris has received a fitting sentence,” DiNapoli, a Democrat, said in a statement. “Jail time should help serve as a deterrent for anyone looking to rip off the state pension fund.”

DiNapoli ascended to the comptroller’s office after Alan Hevesi resigned in disgrace in 2007. Hevesi pleaded guilty in 2010 in the pay-to-play scandal and is due to be sentenced in March.

During the 2010 election against Republican Harry Wilson, DiNapoli was put on the defensive at times and sought to distance himself from the ongoing Hevesi investigation.

Andrew Cuomo, then the attorney general who refused to endorse DiNapoli, issued a statement in December absolving him of any wrongdoing.

Here’s the full DiNapoli statement:

“Hank Morris has received a fitting sentence. Jail time should help serve as a deterrent for anyone looking to rip off the state pension fund.

Since taking office, I’ve worked hard to restore faith in the Office of the State Comptroller after the abuses of the Hevesi administration. I banned placement agents so that corrupt middlemen could never again run the type of pay-to-play scheme that Mr. Morris did. We must ensure that the pension fund is protected against this kind of criminal behavior.

Last month, I proposed a bill that would strip convicted former public officials of their pensions. Public officials who commit a felony related to their duties shouldn’t be rewarded. There are better ways to spend New York’s tax dollars than to support retired felons who ripped off the public.”